Part 35 (1/2)
After that they did not hurry their lunch, hoping the owner of the motor-boat would appear. He came in ten minutes later--a bright, cheery individual, not much older than d.i.c.k.
”Sure I can take you anywhere along the river, if you are willing to pay for it,” said he, in answer to a question from the oldest Rover boy. ”Just give me time to get a mouthful and I will be with you.”
”Let us take some lunch along,” suggested Tom. ”There is no telling how long this search will last.”
”We might take a little,” answered d.i.c.k. ”But I don't think we'll be on the river long.”
Ten minutes later the crowd was on the way to the river, to a dock where lay the motor-boat. It was not a very elegant craft, but it had a good engine and could travel well--and that, just then, meant everything to the Rover boys. A bargain was struck for the run, and the boys and the owner got aboard. And then the search for the schooner was begun anew.
CHAPTER XX
A MINUTE TOO LATE
”Well, this looks like a wild goose chase, d.i.c.k.”
It was Sam who spoke, from the bow of the motor-boat. For over two hours they had been moving up the Hudson River, slowly, scanning one sh.o.r.e and the other with care. They had noted many boats, but nothing that looked like the schooner for which they were so eagerly searching.
”They had a pretty good start of you,” said John Slater, the owner of the motor-boat. ”Maybe they are up to Nyack or Haverstraw by this time.”
”Well, all we can do is to keep on and watch out,” said Tom, with a sigh. His disposition, for fun seemed to have entirely left him.
Another half hour went by, and they came in sight of a number of lumber barges, all heavily loaded. The barges were being towed by a big tug.
”I know the captain of that tug,” said John Slater. ”We might ask him about the schooner.”
”A good idea,” answered d.i.c.k.
They were soon close to the steam tug and the motor-boat owner waved his hand to the captain of the larger craft, who waved in return.
”I want to find a schooner named the Ellen Rodney!” shouted John Slater. ”Did you pa.s.s her, Captain Voss?”
”I did,” was the answer. ”She was opposite Nyack, heading in to sh.o.r.e.”
”Opposite Nyack!” exclaimed d.i.c.k, ”How far is that from here?”
”Not more than two miles,” answered John Slater, as he turned his motor-boat up the river again.
”We ought to be able to catch them now!” cried Sam, his face brightening a bit.
”Wish we had the police along,” remarked Tom. ”Bringing those rascals to terms may not be as easy as you imagine.”
”I've got a gun on board,” said John Slater. ”A double-barreled shotgun I keep on hand to guard against river thieves. I use it to go gunning with, too.”
”Good! Better bring it out and let us look at it,” returned d.i.c.k.
The weapon was produced and found to be in good condition and loaded.
It was placed on one of the seats, an oilskin raincoat being thrown over it to hide it from view.